The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), part of the

Education and Skills Funding Agency The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is an executive agency of the government of the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Department for Education. The ESFA was formed on 1 April 2017 following the merger of the Education Funding Agency an ...

, is a government agency that coordinates apprenticeships in England, enabling young people to enter the

skilled trades A tradesman, tradeswoman, or tradesperson is a skilled worker that specializes in a particular trade (occupation or field of work). Tradesmen usually have work experience, on-the-job training, and often formal vocational education in contrast to ...

History

At the beginning of February 2008 the Labour Government published a document called ''Strategy for the Future of Apprenticeships in England''. It introduced a quango, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). The National Skills Director of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) was to be in charge of the NAS. The LSC at the time had had most of its funding farmed out to local authorities. The NAS was to be part of the LSC, as outlined in the government's 2008 document on apprenticeships. Two new divisions in the LSC were formed at the same time - one for young people headed by Rob Wye, and one for adult education and training headed by Chris Roberts. All of the three new divisions were still at this stage part of the LSC, and not separate entities. At the time six government agencies had some responsibility for apprenticeships, but there was no overall leadership. At the time of its formation, the Labour Government up to that point had been heavily focused on persuading 50% of under-18s to attend university. In other European countries, much more focus is placed on apprenticeships; only 6% of English companies offer apprenticeships compared to 30% in Germany. In England, those who by age of 25 had been on an apprenticeship are likely to earn much more than those who do not, for similar qualifications (£100,000 over a career). A university degree is often quoted as improving earning potential, but is highly dependent on choice of degree, and apprenticeships have a much higher success rate on earning potential.

References

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External links

National Apprenticeship Service

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Education in England Vocational education in the United Kingdom Public bodies and task forces of the United Kingdom government Organisations based in Coventry Government agencies established in 2009 Funding bodies of England Further education colleges in England Department for Education Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Apprenticeship

History

See also

References

External links